Children's books for the different seasons of the church's year. For reading aloud or reading by themselves. For the older children look in Young Peoples books too.

The First Christmas

- The King James Version

by Jan Pieńkowski

First published in 1984 by William Heinemann and subsequently by Puffin Books in 1987, 2006 and now this edition in 2009
An age-old story told briefly but Biblically with silhouette style illustrations set against a one colour background and other illustrations twining around the words. With its silver cover this little book is immediately attractive and the story starts with the annunciation and follows through to the return to Nazareth, the final words being ‘And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him’. Lovely.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (31/01/12)

Hardback
Price: £5.99
Publisher: Puffin distributed by IVP
Published: 2009
ISBN: 978-0-141-50097-3

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The Christmas Story

- My First Message with CD

by Eugene Peterson illustrated by Rob Corley and Tom Bancroft

A colourful slim book to read along with the CD or listen or read alone. Whichever way you do it, the words feature The Message, New Testament in Contemporary Language easily understood by the child. The CD is read with an American accent but children are so used to that it is not a distraction. With suggested questions on each page to ask as you read through and help with understanding, with prayers and activities to do, this is a family friendly tool for learning what Christmas is really all about.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (31/01/12)

Stapled paperback with CD in pack
Publisher: Nav Press from IVP
Published: 2005
ISBN: 978-1-600-06276-6

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Veggietales: The Little Drummer Boy

Created by Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki

Code for ordering from Trust Media Distribution is 820699. The ISBN shown is purely for TGBS data use.

I didn’t start to write this review immediately after watching the DVD, a lovely excuse for watching it again on a quiet Friday afternoon.
Junior is left with Grandpa, and is waiting for his friends to call, to go carol singing. However, he is making so much noise pretending to drum, that because Grandpa is out of the room when the friends arrive, neither of them hear the doorbell and Junior is convinced that his friends have ditched him, and sulks. When Grandpa suggests he read him a story, Junior very reluctantly agrees, but only because it is about a Little Drummer Boy.
In the story, Aaron is like Junior, a little boy who loves drumming, but one day his family is broken up by the cruel Romans burning the families home and farm to make way for something of their own. Aaron manages to hide with his faithful lamb, donkey and camel, but when they return to the ruins, Aaron’s parents are nowhere to be found and Aaron wanders of with his animal friends, determined to manage on his own. After several adventures he finds himself at Bethlehem and of course there is a happy ever after end to the story.
Junior is now in a mood to forgive his friends, but of course they need to forgive him for ignoring them! All ends happily with a lesson well learnt.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (05/11/11)

DVD
Price: £9.99 (incl VAT)
Publisher: VeggieTales distributed by Authentic Media
Published: September 2011
ISBN: 9-990-00049-2

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The Donkey’s First Christmas

by S.T.Schroder

If you look on the book’s website you will see that a lot of people have already read this and enjoyed it. When I got my copy I picked it up immediately, the cover is appealing and an adult reading it on their own only takes a few minutes. – I then wholeheartedly agreed with all that those others have said.
It really is a delightful idea: a lazy donkey given no option than to carry a heavily pregnant lady on a journey to Bethlehem. A kindly man and a lady who is so grateful for his help, that she thanks the little donkey at every step along the way, so that he gladly struggles to get her to her destination as quickly as possible.
Told in simple rhyme, written in hand written script, appealingly illustrated, this book is a delight.

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Review by Mary Bartholomew (05/11/11)

Stapled Paperback
Price: £5.99
Publisher: Tilli Publishing from Trust Media Distribution
Published: 09 September 2011
ISBN: 978-1-908-05301-5

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The Baby Born at Christmas

by Sally Ann Wright illustrated by Honor Ayres

Beautifully told, beautifully illustrated, this is a lovely re-telling of the Christmas story that could become so tired of being told, but when portrayed like this is renewed and very welcome.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (13/10/11)

Hardback
Price: £6.99
Publisher: Barnabas imprint of BRF
Published: September 2011
ISBN: 978-0-857-46024-0

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My Carry-Along Christmas Activity Book With Stickers

Crafts by Jonathan Miller, illustrations by Cathy Hughes

This carries the warning ‘Not suitable for children under 36 months’ after that plenty of fun to be had quite safely but little ones will need adult help.
Things to play with, things to make and things to puzzle out and of course stickers to help along the way. Ingenious ideas, with colourful presentation.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (13/10/11)

Stapled A4 Pbk.
Price: £5.99
Publisher: Lion
Published: September 2011
ISBN: 978-0-745-96259-7

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The Animals’ Christmas by Elena Pasquali illustrated by Giuliano Fern
ISBN: 978-0-745-96249-8 Price: £5.99	Published: September 2011
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Veggietales: The Star of Christmas Created by Phil Vischer & Mike Nawrocki
ISBN: 9-990-00047-6 Price: £7.99 (incl VAT)	Published: September 2011
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Lift the Flap Christmas Stable by Juliet David illustrated by Marie Allen
ISBN: 978-1-859-85892-9 Price: £6.99	Published: September 2011
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The Story of Christmas by Juliet David illustrated by Steve Whitlow
ISBN: 978-1-859-85889-9 Price: £3.99	Published: September 2011
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Baby Jesus is Born Sticker Book Text by Karen Williamson illustrations by Amanda Enright
ISBN: 978-1-859-85920-9 Price: £2.99	Published: September 2011
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Wipe Clean Christmas Story by Juliet David illustrated by Marie Allen
ISBN: 978-1-859-85891-2 Price: £2.99
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The Shepherd Girl of Bethlehem - A Nativity Story by Carey Morning illustrated by Alan Marks
ISBN: 978-0-745-96232-0 Price: £5.99	Published: September 2011
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The First Christmas Retold by Karen Williamson illustrated by Simon Mendez
ISBN: 978-1-859-85826-4 Price: £6.99	Published: September 2011
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Baby’s First Christmas by Christina Goodings illustrated by Stephen Barker
ISBN: 978-0-745-96256-6 Price: £3.99	Published: September 2011
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My Very Little Christmas Story by Lois Rock illustrated by Alex Ayliffe
ISBN: 978-0-745-96257-3 Price: £2.99	Published: September 2011
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Nativity Story - A Sparkle and Shine, Rhythm and Rhyme Book by Dawn Sirett illustrated by Fiona Gowan
ISBN: 978-1-405-34163-9 Price: £7.99	Published: 2009
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Christmas Jigsaw Book Re-told by Juliet David illustrated by Sarah Pitt
ISBN: 978-1-859-85888-2 Price: £6.99	Published: August 2011
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Countdown to Christmas With Timothy Bear - 24 Five Minute Read-aloud Bedtime Stories for Advent by Brian Sears
ISBN: 978-1-841-01725-9	Published: September 2010
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Joseph’s Story of Christmas by Geraldine Guadagno illustrated by Maria Cristina Lo Cascio
ISBN: 978-1-841-01822-5 Price: £5.99	Published: September 2010
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